composition of a bodyboard

lyle
February 2008
i know of and the differences between PP (polypro) and PE (polyethelene). but what is EPP (energy core) and how is it different?

what materils are decks made from, how do they perform differently, and how do i know the difference when it isnt labeled?

Bodyboarding 1,393 views

13 Replies

craigtrilivas
February 2008
i prefer the kinda stuff the old mantas were made of,u kno?
that closed cell kinda stuff.
like the elemenopees?

but ATD's pxl deck skins r sweet too.
almost like that.
bboard1
February 2008
As far as I Know EPP stands for extruded polypropeline so i'd imagine that it just has more flex and strength than a straight up PP core

As for the decks Closed Cell is like the LMNOP Mc fly it is smooth, Open Cell Decks are kind of like a nartjie peel with little dimples everywhere. I think closed cell boards blister easier but I may be wrong
Hope it helps
lyle
February 2008
shot mate, helps alot. one last question is there a strength diffference between closed and open decks? ive had one of each. my open cell got indentations where i put my arms and pressed hard to hold a rail. my closed cell deck after two years still looks brand new. or is this to do with the core? open deck feels softer as well.
craigtrilivas
February 2008
in my experience all my closed cell boards hav lasted the longest.
But i take very good care of watever it is i buy tho.
All my open cell boards go creasy where i apply my wax and also look alot more weathered than the closed ones.
My closed cell ones look like thay hav never even been surfed!!!

I prefer the closed cell kinda stuff but thats me
I just feel that the wax sticks better,it feels better and in my opinion offers more grip and i dont ever worry about water retention either from small gashes etc...

werd.
February 2008
PE is softer and more flexi than PP, It also doesn't last that long due to its properties. Ausies love PE. But a PE core would be better if your boogying in cold water (because the water makes your board seem like a washboard, not good if you enjoy bottom turning), whereas PP is better for warm water (the stiffer core means your board doesn't turn into a banana). You get quite a lot of PP types these days, with every company claiming there version is the most gangster.
PE boards get elbow creases more easily though and they generally have a shorter lifespan, but they are nice for like the first 4-5 months.
Open Cell decks are like 0.001 softer than Tight Cell ones, I suppose...
craigtrilivas
February 2008
I have had a few PP boards and they were fine in the cold waters of Ape town.
Just sum of them do go reverse tho.
Watch out for that.

Best board i ever had was a PP board.
And it was open cell too.
Hmmmmm.........

it seems i am in a circle of deep thought at this present time & space.
Hmmmmm.....yes.

Dood i actually just go for pretty much anything i think has a good shape,decent core and nice channels and that i think will work for me.
But also borrow from wat u hav had and wats been ur personal fav.

b kiff.
craigtrilivas
February 2008
Like right now im ordering a clone of my old most fav stick of all time in ATD's PXL skins with the new fluid rail design.
I cant wait for it to arrive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Its a PP core too which is a bit more flexible than their x-cell ones.
Bear in mind that their x-cell core worked very nice for me in cold water too.
So now i reckon i will hav a bit more snap off my bottoms turns too which is NB if u wanna carve DK like the Roachman.
Also the new FRD rail is gonna be slingshotting me into warp speed down the line to bust off and make it round those sections too

I actually cant contain myself for this board man.
Im like a little kid gettin a new G I Joe or sumthing.
I really think that if ur board has the components and dimensions that werk best for u it shouldnt matter wat kind of skin its made of bro.

kiffnes allround.
MichelleDaniels
February 2008

Quote:
it seems i am in a circle of deep thought at this present time & space.
Hmmmmm.....yes.

Hahahah, you crack me up!
Welcome to my world, as of last May--no regrets!
oops--not "Hmmmmm.....yes."

On a serious note,
Was your old "Manta" board that you always talk about, shaped by PMA, the Shaper who continues to do Roaches boards?
(I was recently given one of Roaches old, personal boards and am so stoked to have it in my collection/eventual display.)
Did he use the "secret Black Magic" for durability at that time?
Just curious, always interested in expanding knowledge of boards.
craigtrilivas
February 2008
Hey i dont know if it was PMA that shaped it to be honest
All i kno is that the board came out in like 98 or 99 or so.

Its the one in the attached pic.
I was so in luv with it,i could even prone it well too!!!
Felt like i could do anything on that thing.
Havin a board that ur sooper confident with just makes it so much more enjoyable for me.

Really CANNOT wait to get the clone
craigtrilivas
February 2008
Hey Michelle,

I finally found a pic of the board.
U know the one with the tiny nose?
Jeez its taken me like a year or 2 to actually find it too!!!
Its the most difficult search i think i've ever done LOL!!!

She will be mine again....oh yes.....she will be mine
Jmo
February 2008
Usually all the foams used in bodyboards are closed cell foams, because open cell foams are not properly waterproof (open cells = water logging).
Len at Science
February 2008
There are two types of PP cores used for Bodyboarding: extruded and beaded. The EPP is an acronym for expanded poly propylene (beaded material)

There are also extruded skind and corss link skins. Cross links skins have a smoother, smaller cell structure.

ms

this is what mike stewart wrote
Russell
February 2008
Lots of feedback on this topic so I'll add mine in too: There is no right or wrong here in your choice of PE or PP. Truth be said PP should last longer as its stiffer and therefore stronger, dont let that discourage you from the benefits of PE, PE boards in my opinion work really well in heavier waves, I enjoy the flexing properties and the recoil it gives in good hollow waves. Most of Hot Buttered's International Team including Wesley Fischer ride PE boards on the North Shore every season. Personally I cant make up my mind so I have both, I ride the PP in smaller waves up to 4ft and pull out the PE on anything bigger. Good luck on your next board! Cheers Russell @ HB

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